T-Mobile finally adds the iPhone

Nearly six years after making its debut, the iPhone will finally be available on the T-Mobile wireless network.

The carrier confirmed it will start carrying the iPhone 5 under its new no-contract plans starting April 12. The Simple Choice plan drops two-year contracts for subsidized mobile devices in favor of wireless plans and full-price phones paid over installments.

The iPhone 5 will sell for $99.99 down, plus $20 a month for 24 months. T-Mobile will also carry the iPhone 4S for $69.99 down and $20 monthly for two years. The iPhone 4 will go for $14.99 down and $15 a month.

"This is an important day for people who love their iPhone but can't stand the pain other carriers put them through to own one," John Legere, CEO of T-Mobile USA, said in a statement.

The announcement is part of T-Mobile's unveiling of its new smartphone plans, where users pay the full price of a phone over two years, but aren't under contract. Plans start at $50 a month for 500 MB of 4G data, plus unlimited talk and text. Consumers can also choose a 2 GB plan for $60 monthly, or unlimited 4G for $70 a month.

Customers can pre-order the iPhone 5 through T-Mobile starting April 5.

The company announced its expanding its 4G LTE network to seven areas: Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Jose, and Washington, D.C.

T-Mobile says more than 100 million Americans will have access to the 4G network by midyear, and reach 200 million by the end of the year.